New Major Programs: Process Steps

Reference: Academic Program Planning, Policy & Review document, Revised Process for Program Planning, September 2012

Steps

  1. Pre-Authorization: Notice of Intent
  2. Authorization
  3. Implementation
  4. Institution Quality Control


I: Pre-Authorization: Notice of Intent

  • Faculty and staff members suggest ideas for new programs. Ideas are reviewed by the Provost's Council and developed into a long range Academic Plan.
  • A preliminary proposal is developed by the faculty and dean representing the new program or a provisional program director committee. Content and structure of the Notice of Intent is described in the UW System Revised Process for Program Planning document. Coordination is provided by the associate vice chancellor.
  • Intent and feasibility are determined for planning the new program. A provisional program director is named by the dean. The provisional program director should work with the Provost's Office.
  • The Notice of Intent is forwarded to the CIC for information.
  • The Notice of Intent is forwarded to the AAAT for information.
  • The PRC considers the Notice of Intent from an all-university viewpoint in terms of relationship to mission and existing offerings and makes a recommendation to the Faculty Senate.
  • The Faculty Senate endorses the Notice of Intent and notifies the chancellor.
  • The chancellor requests a recommendation from the provost. The provost consults with the AAAT and makes a recommendation to the chancellor.
  • With the chancellor's approval, the Provost's Office submits the proposal to the UW System Office Associate Vice President of Academic, Faculty and Global Programs (AVP of AFGP) and to all provosts at UWS institutions.
  • A response from the AVP of AFGP and UWS provosts is expected within ten days.
  • Forward UWS responses to AVP of AFGP and UWS provosts. If no mediation is required, the AVP of AFGP will approve or deny the proposal within ten days.
  • If approved, the university develops a more extensive proposal, the Authorization.

II: Authorization

  • The provisional program director, in consultation with appropriate deans/colleges, selects and organizes provisional program committee. Using the recommended structure found in the Revised Process for Program Planning document, the provisional program committee develops the Authorization.
  • The associate vice chancellor assists with the development of the proposal in terms of format, timing, processing, and editing, and provides advice and assistance on content.
  • The appropriate college-level approval body reviews the proposal in terms of relationship to mission and existing offerings, need, and financial feasibility. The dean's signature indicates approval.
  • The Curriculum and Instruction Committee, from an all-university perspective, reviews the proposed curriculum. Consideration is given to the quality of the proposed program and to the meeting of university standards in terms of balance of offerings, groupings of courses, credits, and appropriateness of courses within the program. Recommendations for approval of the proposed program are sent to the provost.
  • The final program proposal is forwarded to the PRC for information.
  • The provost consults with AAAT and others in preparation of a final recommendation to the chancellor.
  • The chancellor reviews the recommendations of the provost and prior approving bodies and approves, modifies or rejects the proposal.
  • A Letter of Commitment is prepared for submission with the Authorization to the UW System President. See the Revised Process for Program Planning document for affirmations to be declared in the Letter of Commitment.
  • The AVP for AFGP at UW System notifies the provost of the UWS President's decision whether or not to recommend the proposed new program to the Board of Regents.
  • The UW System Education Committee and the Board of Regents decides whether or not to authorize the program.

III: Implementation

The provost notifies the AVP for AFGP in writing of the actual implementation date/term.

IV: Institutional Quality Control

To assist the Board of Regents in meeting its statutory requirement for assuring academic quality, UW-Stout will:

  • Maintain a website with definitions of and standards for quality and the program planning and review process
  • Submit results of the first internal or external review of new programs in the annual institutional report.